SplatterFest honors Anthony Michael Hall, local filmmakers

SplatterFest returns this year with its usual lineup of locally made short films, camp features (“Adopting Terror!”) — and a day full of ’80s awesomeness.

Anthony Michael Hall will spend the day in town Oct. 6, mingling with fans and screening several of his most iconic films, including “The Breakfast Club,” “Sixteen Candles” and “Weird Science.” Hall’s appearance is part of AmazingFest, “an expansion into a broader pop culture festival.” (We were wondering how it fit into the horror theme.)

SplatterFest gives local filmmakers one weekend to write, shoot and edit a short horror film. They are then screened over two days at the Alamo Drafthouse (Mason Park) and compete for cash prizes, including an audience choice award.

“SplatterFest was literally one of those ideas conceived at lunch and written out on a napkin. It’s exciting to see it grow,” says co-founder and filmmaker Kerry Beyer. “The best part for me is to see our filmmakers getting exposure for their work and moving on to bigger projects. It’s cool to walk into a store and see the SplatterFest laurels on a Blu-ray box cover of a new release.”

The schedule also includes several feature premieres, including bio-disaster flick “Patient Zero.” Director Brian Jaynes will be on hand and offer a first-look deal to one filmmaker. Also on deck is “Adopting Terror,” which looks like a Lifetime movie on steroids. The film stars Sean Astin as an adoptive parent dealing with a maniacal birth father. (“Adopting Terror” — get it?) Director Micho Rutare will attend and take pitches from filmmakers. “#Hold Your Breath” stars Katrina Bowden (Cerie on “30 Rock”) and other beautiful young things as friends on a bloody camping trip cursed when one doesn’t hold their breath while passing a cemetery.